Deerfield Beach to Clearwater is 254.5 miles and takes about 5 hours 12 minutes via Florida's Turnpike and FL 60, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, focusing on a highway-centric drive across the state. You'll primarily be on major roadways, making it a straightforward journey for those prioritizing efficiency. Consider this route if you're looking for a practical way to get from South Florida to the Gulf Coast without much fuss. The drive is recommended for a single day, so plan accordingly to make the most of your travel time.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
127.3 miles from Deerfield Beach, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 24m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 12m. Total distance: 254.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive, with 92% of the journey taking place on major roads. Expect a significant portion of your time on Florida's Turnpike, including a longest stretch of 76.7 miles. While primarily interstate, the inclusion of FL 60 offers a change of pace as you transition towards the Gulf Coast. The overall character is one of steady progress, designed for covering distance efficiently rather than for scenic exploration. You'll experience the typical flow of Florida's major arteries, with consistent speed limits for most of the 5-hour-plus trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Florida's Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 76.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and FL 60. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 45.8 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 254.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 45.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 204.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
45.8 mi into trip|~53m in
Take the exit toward FL 706 West: Okeechobee
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 87B
Toward FL 706 West: Okeechobee
8
46.8 mi into trip|~56m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
7
204.8 mi into trip|~4h 4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 4 West: Tampa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 4 West: Tampa
8
231.5 mi into trip|~4h 35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 275 South: Tampa International Airport, Saint Petersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 275 South: Tampa International Airport...
8
236.7 mi into trip|~4h 43m in
Take the exit toward FL 60 West: Tampa International Airport, Clearwater
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 39
Toward FL 60 West: Tampa International Airport,...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Deerfield Beach, FL and Clearwater, FL, road signs point toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North and Saint Petersburg.
Orlando
46.8 mi in|~56m
Florida's Turnpike North
46.8 mi in|~56m
Saint Petersburg
231.5 mi in|~4h 35m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
76.7 mi
1h 22m
FL 60
70.9 mi
1h 31m
I 95
44.4 mi
50m
I 4
25.7 mi
28m
Polk Parkway
9.9 mi
11m
Bartow Road
7 mi
9m
I 275
4.8 mi
6m
Gulf to Bay Boulevard
4.7 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 76.7 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Deerfield Beach, FL and Clearwater, FL.
1
Start on Southeast 2nd Avenue
14 ft·7 sec·Southeast 2nd Avenue
2
Turn left onto SR 810
0.1 mi·15 sec·East Hillsboro Boulevard
3
Continue on SR 810
0.7 mi·1 min·West Hillsboro Boulevard
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·51 sec
Toward I 95 North: West Palm Beach
5
Merge onto I 95
44 mi·50 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 87BToward FL 706 West: OkeechobeeUse the right lane.
7
Turn straight onto FL 706
0.5 mi·54 sec·Indiantown Road
8
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·14 sec
Use the right lane.
9
Continue on this road
482 ft·11 sec·this road
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
77 mi·1 hr 22 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 193Toward US 441, FL 60: Yeehaw Junction
13
Keep slight right at fork
245 ft·6 sec
Use the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto FL 60
62 mi·1 hr 19 min·FL 60
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left onto US 98; FL 60
0.6 mi·1 min·Van Fleet Drive
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto US 98
0.6 mi·1 min·Broadway Avenue
Use the right lane.
17
Continue on US 98
7.0 mi·9 min·Bartow Road
Use the left lane.
18
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward FL 570 Toll West: Polk Parkway WestUse the right lane.
19
Merge onto FL 570 Toll
9.9 mi·11 min·Polk Parkway
Use the right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi·2 min
Toward I 4 West: TampaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 4
26 mi·28 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·40 sec
Toward I 275 South: Tampa International Airport, Saint PetersburgUse the slight left lane.
23
Merge onto I 275
4.8 mi·6 min·I 275
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 39Toward FL 60 West: Tampa International Airport, ClearwaterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto FL 60
0.4 mi·35 sec·Memorial Highway
Toward FL 60, FL 589 Toll: Tampa International Airport, Clearwater
26
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll
0.9 mi·1 min·Veterans Expressway
Toward FL 589 TollUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 2AToward FL 60 West: ClearwaterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on FL 60
9.3 mi·12 min·FL 60
Toward FL 60: ClearwaterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on FL 60
4.7 mi·9 min·Gulf to Bay Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
30
Continue on FL 60
1.5 mi·3 min·Court Street
Use the straight lane.
31
Turn right onto South Ft Harrison Avenue
0.2 mi·39 sec·South Ft Harrison Avenue
Use the right lane.
32
Arrive at destination
North Fort Harrison Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour 12-minute duration, departing in the morning will allow you to reach Clearwater with plenty of daylight remaining. The drive is manageable in one day, so you won't need to plan for an overnight stay. With only one recommended stop, focus on making it a substantial break rather than multiple short pauses. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 76.7-mile stretch on Florida's Turnpike, as services can be spaced out. A practical tip for this route is to download offline maps, as cell service can be spotty in some sections between major highway interchanges.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 127.3 miles from Deerfield Beach, FL, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.7 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 56 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.3 miles or 2h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clearwater, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Deerfield Beach, FL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Deerfield Beach, FL
This is one driving day of about 254.5 miles and 5h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Deerfield Beach, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Florida's Turnpike for about 76.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 127.3 mi from Deerfield Beach, FL
· 2h 24m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.51 one way
$81.02 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$44.07
$88.13
premium
$4.72
$47.32
$94.65
diesel
$5.61
$56.19
$112.38
Estimated Tolls: $5.44
Florida's Turnpike
(76.7 mi)$5.37
Veterans Expressway
(0.9 mi)$0.07
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
24 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Circuit électrique Charging Station
Largo, Florida
Other
1 DCFC
EV Connect Charging Station
Largo, Florida
EV Connect
1 DCFC
Ionna Charging Station
Largo, Florida
Other
1 DCFC
E.C.O. Charging Station
Largo, Florida
Other
1 DCFC
Blink Charging Station
Clearwater, Florida
Blink
1 DCFC
bp pulse Charging Station
Clearwater, Florida
Other
1 DCFC
Shell Recharge Charging Station
Largo, Florida
Shell Recharge
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Clearwater, Florida
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Other: 12
Blink: 5
ChargePoint: 3
EV Connect: 2
Shell Recharge: 1
Tesla Destination: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.4
0
$26.72
$12.22
Efficient EV
63.6
0
$22.27
$10.18
EV Truck/SUV
101.8
1
$35.63
$16.29
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Deerfield Beach, FL
Night
in Deerfield Beach on Friday
Local time
11:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clearwater, FL
Night
in Clearwater on Friday
Local time
11:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
62°F
Eagle Lake, FL
127 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 12m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Deerfield Beach, FL to Clearwater, FL covers 254.5 miles and takes about 5h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Florida's Turnpike, FL 60, I 95. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 127.3 miles from Deerfield Beach, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.51 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 254.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 45.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 204.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Deerfield Beach, FL and Clearwater, FL, road signs point toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North and Saint Petersburg.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
